My first ship. Mirage Hobbies V-105

Excellent job on one of my favorite small ship kits! (I'm a big fan of the Mirage line, in spite of the odd scale.)

Really good job,nice looking boat.

Great job of an interesting and different subject!  I like the Mirage 1/400 kits since they fit in with my collection of the Heller ships in the same scale.  The only comment that I have is that the weathering around the ports looks a bit heavy. I would recommend a lighter wash. But, you have captured the appearance of heavy use quite well!

Bill Morrison

Note;

  Cortesine was also skid resistant . Thus a good non-skid too ! . T.B.  P.S. We used it on the ARK ! Welcome to the wetter part of the darkside .I love Floaty Thingies !

Thanks for the kind words guys. I will keep your weathering comment in mind Bill. It's hard to know when to stop. Haha. This kit was fun to build. I will have to look into buying another Mirage Hobbies kit. 

Can I ask a question? What is the best adhesive to attach the end of the rigging? You can't tie it off in this scale can you? I used ez line and CA but is wasn't easy. CA was the only thing that set up fast enough while my shakey hand held it in place. It was hit and miss. Thanks

Griffin25

Can I ask a question? What is the best adhesive to attach the end of the rigging? You can't tie it off in this scale can you? I used ez line and CA but is wasn't easy. CA was the only thing that set up fast enough while my shakey hand held it in place. It was hit and miss. Thanks

 

Actually, you can tie off the rigging- that is my normal way.  However, for smaller ships and for smaller scales, it gets to be a real pain!  For small ships, and for scales smaller than 1:350, I like to use the smallest thread I can get, which is 5 mil monofilament.  I use a lot of 10 mil monofilament on 1:350.  In either case, tying knots in monofilament is difficult- it is stiff, and like tying knots in stainless steel wire!  It takes practice !

In general I find it hard these days to get really fine thread.  Moldel Expo does carry some fine stranded thread.  The only place I can find 5 mil (.005 inch) thread is from a fly-tying supply place, and it is all monofilament, and limited to two colors, black and white.  The fine thread from ME is available in tan.

Also, whether it is stranded or monofilament, I put a small daub of thin CA on the knot as soon as I can.  For knotting the stranded thread, I find wetting the knot area before tying makes it a bit easier- I don't have to pull so hard (nice on thin plastic spars).

Thanks for the advice Don. Sounds tough but more realistic. 

I generally stay away from thread, but, when I have no other option, I will wax it heavily with bees wax.  For small scales, I prefer to use 6-0 suture material I get from a local medical supply store, but have also used fishing line, my own hair, and fine electrical wire.  The wire is easiest because I don't have to tie it; I simply cut the desired length, paint it the desired color, and CA it in place.  I know of builders who use guitar strings or piano wire the same way.  Have fun experimenting!

Bill